Mechanical Engineer Assistant Professor

Mechanical Engineer Assistant Professor

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

9855920

Agency

University of South Carolina

Opening Date

09/28/2026

Closing Date

11/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Your application must be submitted online at https://apptrkr.com/9855920

Class Code:

UG74

Position Number:

9855920

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

Unclassified

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits

Job Responsibilities

Mechanical Engineer Assistant Professor Department: CEC Mechanical Engineering Part/Full Time: Full Time Advertised Salary Range: To commensurate with qualifications About UofSC From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelors degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Advertised Job Summary The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) at the University of South Carolina (USC) in Columbia, SC is seeking a qualified applicant for an Assistant Professor Tenure-Track faculty position to support its Mechanical Engineering program. USC andMCEC pursue a bold vision of supporting the states growing aerospace, manufacturing, technology, and nuclear industries while experiencing sustained growth in student numbers and research output. We aim to hire innovative and bold thought leaders focused on student success, outstanding research, and the motivation and drive to support the US and SC economy and industrial base. This 9-month faculty Assistant Professor position is tenure track with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. Applicants for the Assistant Professor rank should possess a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field, a demonstrated record of research accomplishments, and an outstanding capacity for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Candidates with a strong vision for the future of engineering education are highly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be expected to develop internationally recognized, externally funded research programs in cutting edge areas of mechanical engineering. In particular, candidates with a strong track record of research and teaching in the broad field of solid mechanics and mechanics of materials are encouraged to apply. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to, mechanics for extreme environments and nuclear applications; mechanics-informed advanced manufacturing; integrated experimental and computational mechanics; fracture, damage, and failure; and transformative AI-enabled advances that deliver fundamentally new capabilities in these areas or in solid mechanics more broadly. The successful candidates must have the ability to (1) teach and develop Mechanical Engineering curriculum (including lecture, laboratory, or design courses) at the undergraduate and graduate levels, (2) develop and sustain an independent, nationally recognized research program, (3) collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams of faculty and other researchers across colleges and institutions, and (4) be engaged in professional activities. USC is a Flagship, R1 research university experiencing sustained growth in number of students and research. The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing has seven academic departments with over 40 academic programs, more than 3,600 undergraduate students, and received over $73m of competitive federal sponsored research awards in 2025. MCEC received a transformational gift naming the college in 2024 and is on a bold trajectory to continue its rapid rise in elevating student excellence, scholarly impact, and drive economic impact in South Carolina and across the US. This position will be posted for a minimum of 45 days and remain posted until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2027. Interested applicants should apply online at https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213703 with: (1) a cover letter indicating the main area of research, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a concise description of research plans, (4) a statement of teaching philosophy, and (5) names & contact information of at least three references. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law." Questions about the departmental search may be directed to: Associate Professor Andrew Gross AndrewGross@sc.edu, Phone: +1 803-777-0183

Minimum and Additional Requirements

Required Education and Experience Applicants for the Assistant Professor rank should possess a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field, a demonstrated record of research accomplishments, and an outstanding capacity for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Candidates with a strong vision for the future of engineering education are highly encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications The successful candidates must have the ability to (1) teach and develop Mechanical Engineering curriculum (including lecture, laboratory, or design courses) at the undergraduate and graduate levels, (2) develop and sustain an independent, nationally recognized research program, (3) collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams of faculty and other researchers across colleges and institutions, and (4) be engaged in professional activities.

Additional Comments

Job Close Date Special Instructions to Applicant This position will be posted for a minimum of 45 days and remain posted until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2027. Interested applicants should apply online at https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213703with: (1) a cover letter indicating the main area of research, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a concise description of research plans, (4) a statement of teaching philosophy, and (5) names & contact information of at least three references. Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty-five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: - Health and Life Insurance - Retirement Programs - Paid Tuition - Dependent Scholarships - Annual Leave - Sick Leave - 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) - Paid Parental Leave - Professional Development Opportunities Clickhttps://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsc.edu%2Fabout%2Foffices_and_divisions%2Fhuman_resources%2Fcareers%2Findex.php&data=05%7C02%7CCORNELIM%40mailbox.sc.edu%7Cf852bcc5b365468ae90208dea9f8b354%7C4b2a4b19d135420e8bb2b1cd238998cc%7C0%7C0%7C639135082793327465%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FZTRlb2X58uoYCovHxbUZIvTDmCUO6RxuRHZo6lqnxQ%3D&reserved=0 to learn more about why you should work at USC. To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/9855920 EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. je-2e931221e07f4f37b29fded9cd80cf97

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency University of South Carolina Address Division of Human Resources

Columbia, South Carolina, 29208

Phone 803-777-3821

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.